Anthropology major will expand her cultural boundaries as a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea

When Chelsey Taylor '09 arrived on the Wheaton campus from the Midwest, she felt as if she had entered a different country. It was a shock to the anthropology major. "Not only was the institution foreign to me but, the geographic location, political leanings, and even the dialect were different. I was entering a new culture."

The experience helped Taylor empathize with others facing cultural differences. After taking an anthropology course her sophomore year, she knew she had found her niche, "I instantly felt a connection to a discipline whose primary focus involved the respectful study and treatment of other cultures."

She eventually earned a teaching assistantship with the anthropology department. The position opened her eyes to the personal fulfillment found in teaching. "After having the opportunity to work with students, I have discovered a newly found passion, which extends to teaching," she said.

The Rockford, Illinois native will utilize her experiences and pedagogical techniques as she teaches English during her Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea. "As a teaching assistant in Korea, I will use my background in anthropology, my role as a teaching assistant, and previous teaching experience to help Korean high school students attain a better knowledge of the English language," she said in her Fulbright application.

Taylor looks forward to the experience with excitement and trepidation. "Going through the application process and making it to the final round all seemed like steps in a process that would end in disappointment. The fact that I have actually won such a prestigious scholarship has not quite sunk in yet. That said, I could not be more grateful to have such an opportunity nor more excited to be embarking on this adventure," she said upon learning of the award. "While the thought of moving halfway around the world in three months is more than a little daunting, I am eager to start this new chapter in my life."

On campus, Taylor is very active in community, environmental, and social organizations; Relay for Life, Colleges Against Cancer, Habitat for Humanity Alternative Spring Break, AIDS Prevention Education Team and SafeZone. She also excels academically and has remained on the Dean's list throughout her academic career and is a Trustee and Class of 1952 Scholar.

In addition to teaching English to middle and high school students, Taylor plans to explore ancient cultural sites throughout the country while investigating how Korean artifacts are displayed to convey the Korean past. "In my time outside the classroom, I would like to explore ancient cultural sites throughout the country. Investigating Korea's prehistoric past is an excellent way to expand my knowledge of diverse prehistoric societies, especially since a great deal of ancient Korean artifacts persist into modern times," she said. "I am interested in the ways in which the material culture transmits information, as well as the variations between cultural representations of artifacts."

Upon returning to the United States, Taylor will continue to follow her interests in the ancient material remains of other cultures by pursuing graduate studies in prehistoric archaeology.